DE102018001964A1 - household appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

A domestic appliance, such as a refrigerator and / or freezer or a dishwasher, comprises a body (10), a treatment space (12) for treating goods provided in the body (10) and accessible through an access opening (14) of the body (10 ) is accessible to a user, a door (16) for closing the access opening (14), a control panel (20) with a display device (22) and a sensor (22, 24, 28) for detecting an opening state of the door (16) on. The sensor system is designed as an optical sensor system comprising the display device (22) of the control panel (20) as a transmitter for emitting light, a reflection surface (28) for reflecting the light emitted by the display device (22) and a sensor (24). for detecting the light reflected from the reflection surface (28). The display device (22) and the sensor (24) are arranged on a diaphragm section (30) of one component of the body (10) or the door (16) and the reflection surface (28) is on a reflector section (32) of the other component of the Carcass (10) or the door (16) provided, wherein the diaphragm portion (30) and the reflector portion (32) in a closed state of the door (16) at a predetermined base distance (X0) are arranged opposite to each other and in an open state of the Door (16) at a distance (X) are greater than the base distance spaced from each other.

Description

The present invention relates to a household appliance with a sensor for detecting an opening state of the door.

For many household appliances, it is important for their operation to know the current opening state of the door, with which an access opening to an interior can be closed. For example, in the case of refrigerators, the interior lighting is only activated when the door is open or, in the case of dishwashers, a wash program is only carried out with the door closed. Various devices for detecting an opening state of a door are known from the prior art. For example, the beats DE 20 2005 013 065 U1 a device for position detection with a magnet and a detection element with dependent on the magnetic field generated by the magnet switching states or parameter values. The DE 10 2013 109 540 A1 discloses a refrigerator or freezer with a sensor means for detecting the opening state of the door for closing an interior of the device body, wherein the sensor means comprises a capacitive or resistive sensor on the body.

The invention has for its object to provide a household appliance with a simple design sensor for detecting an opening state of the door.

This object is achieved by a household appliance with the features of claim 1. Particularly advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The household appliance according to the invention has a body, a body provided in the treatment room for treating goods, which is accessible through an access opening of the body for a user, a door for closing the access opening, a control panel with a display device and a sensor for detecting an open state of the door , According to the invention, this household appliance is characterized in that the sensor system is designed as an optical sensor which includes the display device of the control panel as a transmitter for emitting light, a reflection surface for reflecting the light emitted by the display device and a sensor for detecting the of Reflection surface reflected light. In this case, the display device and the sensor are arranged on a diaphragm portion of a component of the body or the door and the reflection surface is provided on a reflector portion of the other component of the body or the door, wherein the diaphragm portion and the reflector portion in a closed state of the door in a predetermined base distance are arranged opposite to each other and are spaced apart in an open state of the door at a distance greater than the base distance.

According to the invention, the use of an optical sensor for detecting an opening state of the door is proposed. By using the already existing display device of the control panel of the household appliance as a transmitter, a simple construction of the sensor and a reduction of additional components for the sensor can be achieved. The detection of the opening state of the door by means of optical sensors is contactless and thus wear-free.

The household appliance is, for example, a refrigerator and / or freezer or a dishwasher. Depending on the type of household appliance, the treatment room in the body is, for example, a refrigerator or freezer room for storing food or a washing room for cleaning items to be washed. The door is preferably a relative to the body pivotally mounted door, wherein the pivot axis of the door is preferably aligned substantially vertically or substantially horizontally.

In one embodiment variant of the invention, the diaphragm section is provided with the control panel on the body, preferably on a front end side of the body facing the user. In this case, the reflector portion is provided with the reflection surface on the door, preferably on the inside of the door facing the treatment room. In the other embodiment of the invention, the panel section is provided with the control panel on the door, preferably on a user facing upper end side of the door. In this case, the reflector portion is provided with the reflection surface on the body, preferably on a lower side of an upper portion of the body.

The sensor is preferably connected to a control device (wireless or wired), preferably with the control device of the control panel.

The sensor of the optical sensor is preferably integrated in the control panel or positioned next to the control panel.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the display device is designed to emit modulated light. The modulation preferably relates to the wavelength and / or the intensity of the emitted light. By such modulation, that of the Display device emitted and reflected at the reflection surface light from directly incident on the sensor or reflected on the reflection surface ambient light can be distinguished.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the display device is designed to emit colored light. This colored light preferably has a wavelength that differs significantly from the usual ambient light. Also by this measure, the light emitted by the display device and reflected at the reflection surface light can be distinguished by directly incident on the sensor or reflected on the reflection surface ambient light.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the display device is an LED, LCD or OLED display device.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sensor also has an amplifier for amplifying the measured signal detected by the sensor. The amplifier is preferably connected to the sensor, integrated in the sensor or integrated in the control device.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sensor system also has a filter device for filtering out ambient light and / or measurement signal components caused by ambient light. The filter device is preferably connected to the sensor, integrated into the sensor or integrated into the control device. The sensor of the sensor is preferably visible to the user or invisible to the user (e.g., behind a dark foil).

The reflection surface of the sensor system is preferably selected from a metallic surface, a light surface, a dark surface or a combination thereof.

• 1A eine seitliche Teilschnittansicht eines Haushaltsgeräts gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung mit der Tür im geschlossenen Zustand;
• 1B eine seitliche Teilschnittansicht des Haushaltsgeräts von 1A mit der Tür in einem geöffneten Zustand;
• 2 eine Darstellung eines Blendenabschnitts gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 3 eine Darstellung eines Blendenabschnitts gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 4 eine seitliche Teilschnittansicht eines Haushaltsgeräts gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung mit der Tür im geschlossenen Zustand; und
• 5 eine seitliche Teilschnittansicht eines Haushaltsgeräts gemäß einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung mit der Tür im geschlossenen Zustand.

The above and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of preferred, non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In it show, mostly schematically:

• 1A a partial sectional side view of a household appliance according to a first embodiment of the invention with the door in the closed state;
• 1B a partial side sectional view of the household appliance of 1A with the door in an open state;
• 2 a representation of a diaphragm section according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• 3 a representation of a diaphragm section according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• 4 a partial sectional side view of a household appliance according to a second embodiment of the invention with the door in the closed state; and
• 5 a partial sectional side view of a household appliance according to a third embodiment of the invention with the door in the closed state.

1A and 1B show a first embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention in the form of a refrigerator.

The fridge has a body 10 in which there is a cold room 12 for storing food. The fridge 12 is via an access opening 14 in the user facing front side of the body 10 accessible to the user. The access opening 14 is through a door 16 closed, which is pivotally mounted about a substantially vertical pivot axis. At the door 16 are seals 18 attached to the refrigerator 12 with the door closed 16 close tight, as in 1A indicated.

At the front end edge of the upper section of the carcass 10 is a panel section 30 intended. In this aperture section 30 is on the body 10 a control panel 20 provided via which the user, for example, information about the operating state of the refrigerator (on / off, cooling stage, etc.) displayed and the user can make settings (on / off, cooling stage, etc.). As in 2 and 3 exemplifies, the control panel 20 for this purpose at least one LED display device 22 and one or more input elements 26 on.

The display device 22 the control panel 20 at the same time serves as a transmitter of an optical sensor for detecting an opening state of the door. Other components of the sensor system are a sensor 24 and a reflection surface 28 , The sensor 24 is for example a photodetector and is also in the aperture section 30 on the body 10 provided, optionally in the control panel 20 integrated ( 2 ) or next to the control panel 20 positioned ( 3 ). The sensor 24 may be exposed and thus visible to the user or invisible to the user through a dark foil. The reflection surface 28 is in a reflector section 32 on the inside of the door 16 intended. The reflection surface 28 is preferably metallic and / or bright.

As in 1A and 1B illustrates is the reflector section 32 at the door 16 so positioned that the aperture section 30 of the body 10 and the reflector section 32 the door in the closed state of the door ( 1A) at a predetermined base distance X0 opposite each other. Will the door 16 open ( 1B) , she from the corpus 10 pivoted away so that the reflector section 32 the door 16 and the iris section 30 of the body 10 at a greater distance X> X0 are spaced apart.

That of the display device 22 the control panel 20 emitted light is in the closed state of the door 16 at the reflection surface 28 reflected, and the reflected light is from the sensor 24 detected. The sensor 24 or a control device connected thereto can be based on the measurement signals on the closed state of the door 16 shut down. Will the door 16 opened, gets less to no light of the display device 22 on the reflection surface 28 so the sensor 24 receives less reflected light, from which the sensor 24 or an associated with this control device on an at least partially open door 16 can close. As a result, the controller may then, for example, the interior lighting of the refrigerator 12 turn on.

To the light of the display device 22 at the reflection surface 28 reflected and from the sensor 24 is detected by ambient light that (especially with the door open 16 ) directly and / or over the reflection surface 28 to the sensor 24 is able to distinguish, sends the display device 22 preferably a with respect to wavelength and / or light intensity modulated light. Alternatively, the display device 22 also emit a colored light of a different wavelength than usual ambient light.

The sensor 24 In addition, it is preferably coupled to an amplifier for amplifying its measuring signals and / or a filter device for filtering out ambient light or measuring signal components based on ambient light. The amplifier and the filter device can also be in the with the sensor 24 be integrated control device integrated.

The sensors for detecting the opening state of the door 16 thus includes the components of the already existing display device 22 , the sensor available as a cost-effective standard component 24 and the easily provided or already existing reflection surface 28 , The sensors 24 is therefore simple and requires only a small number of simple additional components.

4 shows a second embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention in the form of a refrigerator.

Compared to the first embodiment, here are the positions of the diaphragm section 30 and the reflector section 32 reversed. That is, the aperture section 30 with the control panel 20 is on the inside of the door 16 provided in the upper region and the reflector section 32 with the reflection surface 28 is on the front end of an upper section of the carcass 10 intended.

Incidentally, this second exemplary embodiment corresponds in structure, mode of operation and embodiment variants to the above-described first exemplary embodiment of FIG 1A and 1B , The two variants of the aperture section 30 from 2 and 3 are also applicable to the second embodiment.

5 shows a third embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention in the form of a dishwasher.

The dishwasher has a body 10 in which there is a dishwasher 12 to clean dishes. The dishwasher 12 is via an access opening 14 in the user facing front side of the body 10 accessible to the user. The access opening 14 is through a door 16 Closable around a substantially horizontal pivot axis in the lower part of the body 10 is pivotally mounted. At the door 16 are seals 18 attached to the dishwasher 12 with the door closed 16 close tightly.

In contrast to the first embodiment of 1A and B is the aperture portion 30 with the control panel 20 in this case, on the upper end of the door 16 provided and is the reflector section 32 with the reflection surface 28 on a lower side of an upper portion of the body 10 intended.

Incidentally, this third exemplary embodiment corresponds in construction, mode of operation and embodiment variants to the exemplary embodiments explained above 1A . 1B and 4 , The two variants of the aperture section 30 from 2 and 3 are also applicable to this third embodiment.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

corpus

12

treatment room

14

access opening

16

door

18

poetry

20

control panel

22

display device

24

sensor

26

input elements

28

reflecting surface

30

shutter section

32

reflector section

X0

Base distance between diaphragm section and reflector section

X

Distance between the panel section and the reflector section

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 202005013065 U1 [0002]
• DE 102013109540 A1 [0002]

Claims (9)

A household appliance, comprising: a body (10); a treatment space (12) provided in the body (10) for treating goods accessible to a user through an access opening (14) of the body (10); a door (16) for closing the access opening (14); a control panel (20) with a display device (22); and a sensor system (22, 24, 28) for detecting an opening state of the door (16), characterized in that the sensor system (22, 24, 28) is designed as an optical sensor system comprising the display device (22) of the control panel (20 ) as a transmitter for emitting light, a reflection surface (28) for reflecting the light emitted by the display device (22) and a sensor (24) for detecting the light reflected from the reflection surface (28), and the display device (22) and the sensor (24) is disposed on an aperture portion (30) of one of the body (10) or door (16) and the reflective surface (28) on a reflector portion (32) of the other component of the body (10) or Door (16) is provided, wherein the diaphragm portion (30) and the reflector portion (32) in a closed state of the door (16) at a predetermined base distance (X0) are arranged opposite to each other and in an open state nd the door (16) at a distance (X) are greater than the base distance spaced from each other. Household appliance after Claim 1 in which the sensor (24) is integrated in the control panel (20) or positioned next to the control panel (20). Domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, in which the display device (22) is designed to emit modulated light. Domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, in which the display device (22) is designed to emit colored light. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, in which the display device (22) is an LED, LCD or OLED display device. Domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor further comprises an amplifier for amplifying the detected signal from the sensor (24). Domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor further comprises a filter device for filtering out ambient light and / or caused by ambient light measurement signal components. Domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, in which the sensor (24) is visible to the user or invisible to the user. Domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reflection surface (28) is selected from a metallic surface, a light surface, a dark surface or a combination thereof.

Images